Boston Common!

What Is Boston Common?

This is America’s oldest city park!

What Makes It Historical?

In 1634, four years after Boston was established, this plot of land on the marshy west edge of town was purchased from William Blackstone and set aside for recreation, cows, and military training ! The military part makes up a big chunk of Boston Common’s history, as eight separate military companies were practicing here by 1674, each training day treated like a sporting event by the folks of Boston, but by 1758, the military presence became a little more serious. First, the 4,500-strong army of Jeffery Amherst camped here en route to Canada during the French and Indian War, then more camped here in 1768 as the results of that war (high taxes and tariffs) led to unrest across the city! Though kicked out after the Boston Massacre in 1770, the Brits returned to the Common during the Revolution. It was from here that they assembled their march on Lexington and where they ultimately fled after a Patriot siege!

Once the Revolutionary War was over, things settled down on the Boston Common. With the construction of the Massachusetts State House here in 1798, the surroundings got more attention too! By 1836, the cows were gone, walking paths were installed, and this park with a Frog Pond became so beloved that the protests against adding a trolley to the park in the 1890s led to the train going underground and becoming America’s first subway! Today, Boston Common still attracts millions of visitors every year for sports, music, art, and history!

How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?

Volunteer with the Boston Landmarks Commission!
Donate to the Friends of the Public Garden!
Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!